Writer: Stefan Petrucha
Artists: Sho Murase, Carlos Jose Guzman(CGI and color)
Publisher: Papercutz
Sho Murase returns, and the quality of the artwork in Nancy Drew skyrockets. It's at this point I need to remind the gentle reader that I really detest manga. The style of depicting homogenous waif-women with hard edges and big saucer eyes usually leaves me cold. Ms. Murase's art goes beyond the typical cookie-cutter manga.
Murase's girls look soft and unique. You cannot mistake Nancy for Bess or George. Murase goes beyond hairstyles to denote visual characterization. She considers bone-structure, scale and body movement when designing her characters--something I've seen blessed little of in the manga I have sampled. Guzman furthers Murase's embrace of the heterogeneous by carefully choosing the colors that will in many ways embody a signature for each character. He embellishes these complimentary shades to Murase's fashion sense. Often female characters, in lesser books, wear clothing that a blind clown wouldn't choose for himself.
Besides illustrating Nancy, Bess and George so attractively, Murase cuts loose with a plethora of flora, fauna and geology from different climes. The alpine scene setting up the conclusion to the biodome mystery in particular impresses. You really do not expect to see such amazing art in a book designed to appeal to all ages. Perhaps we need to amend this expectation. All-ages books now, by and large, are the only place art aficionados can rely upon.
Murase works in tandem with writer Stefan Petrucha. Told from Nancy's point of view, Murase creates interesting viewpoint angles. We see what Nancy sees. Murase wisely keeps Nancy just to the side in the panel. The technique at once instills the reader with a you-are-there effect and gives the reader a better view of the gorgeous scenery.
The scenery plays an important part in Petrucha's quite inventive mystery. He again speeds Nancy and the gang up to the modern day but preserves the innocent charm of the group. The clues and the crime take place in a biodome. The nature of the crime has its roots in the current, as does the culprit's motive.
One of the more fascinating aspects of the story is that it plays as a sequel to a story the reader hasn't seen. The ease of Petrucha's writing keeps the reader tethered so she never feels lost. This "Giant Rat of Sumatra" ploy provides suspects, gives Nancy a sort of arch-villain and increases the suspense by having Nancy already believing she knows what's going on and coming at the crooks like a laser beam.
Petrucha's characterization and dialogue are simply superb. He cleverly works into the story each girl's "role" to better the plot. Bess' expertise in all things mechanical at one point takes center stage. George has never been portrayed tougher, except when in the original adventures written by Mildred Wirt Benson. In this tale, we see her backed into a corner but ready to fight. Nancy though for this volume takes the cake. Petrucha gives her the most dimensions. While George is ready to fight, it's Nancy who actually clobbers somebody. A softer side that cares about the world and the cousins balances her sharp intelligence and thirst to solve mysteries. Without a doubt, "Global Warning" is the one of the best in the newest series starring the Girl Detective.
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